First unscheduled hospitalization in advanced cancer as a prognostic indicator of poor survival and trigger for palliative care referral

Purpose: To evaluate whether the first unscheduled hospitalization in advanced cancer may serve as a prognostic indicator of poor survival and a potential trigger for palliative care referral. Methods/patients: Retrospective study in two tertiary hospitals using time-separated cohorts, analyzing only each patient’s first unscheduled admission. Primary outcome was post-admission overall survival (OS). Results: Median post-admission OS was 164 days (95% CI 139–184) in the first cohort (1033 patients) and 108 days (95% CI 83–136) in the second cohort (638 patients). Male sex (p < 0.001), older age (p < 0.001), poor performance status (p < 0.001), longer admissions (p < 0.001) and tumor-related admissions (p < 0.001) were associated with lower survival in both cohorts. Previous treatment with immunotherapy (p = 0.003) or targeted therapy (p = 0.002), immunotherapy toxicity as the reason for admission (p < 0.001), and breast (p < 0.001) and gynecological (p < 0.001) cancers were associated with better survival. Cohorts showed consistent baseline characteristics and outcomes. Conclusions: In patients with advanced cancer, the first unscheduled hospitalization may serve as a prognostic indicator of poor survival and a potential trigger for palliative care referral.